Getting Started with 120WaterAudit

How long after I sign-up will I receive my water testing kit?

Your kit will arrive via USPS ground service around 7-10 days after ordering. 120WaterAudit will provide a tracking code to monitor your water testing kit’s progress.

Why do I have to sign-up for an annual subscription?

Depending on a number of factors including plumbing, service lines and environmental concerns, the quality of your water can change throughout the year. At 120WaterAudit we firmly advocate for regular testing throughout the year to ensure your water’s quality hasn’t changed.

I have questions. Who can help?

You can email info@120WaterAudit.com with any questions you have about the service.

Will you solve my water problem if my results come back higher than the recommended levels?

Unfortunately we can’t solve your water quality problems; however, we can provide the results that may indicate you have a problem and provide follow-up recommendations based on your test results.

Testing my water.

When should I test my water?

You should test your water after your pipes have rested for 6-8 hours. Most people choose to test first thing in the morning. This is commonly referred to as “first draw”.

Does it matter what faucet I use?

We recommend you pick a faucet that is primarily used for consumption; however, you may test from any location you choose.

How does the testing process work?

It’s really simple. Just take out the bottle, fill it with COLD water after your pipes have settled for 6-8 hours. Complete the Chain of Custody (COC) sticker and place it on the bottle. Put the filled bottle with the completed COC sticker back in the box and put it in the mailbox using the self addressed paid postage label.

What’s a Chain of Custody sticker?

The Chain of Custody sticker, referred to as COC, captures important information our Lab needs to process your water sample. The COC sticker captures various data around the date and time your sample was taken as well as the location. This COC sticker must be signed and completed in order for the lab to process your sample.

What water contaminants do we test for and why?

Lead

Lead in drinking water usually originates from metal water taps, interior water pipes, or pipes connecting a house to the main water pipe in the street. You cannot see, taste or smell lead in drinking water.

High levels of lead are particularly harmful for infants, children, and pregnant mothers. Harmful side effects include delays in physical or mental development and deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Lead exposure with adults can lead to kidney problems and high blood pressure. Consult the CDC for more information about the risks of lead contamination.

The primary drinking water standard MCL for lead is 0.015 mg/L.

Arsenic

Arsenic found in drinking water is generally a byproduct of agriculture and/or industrial run-off and is a known carcinogenic. Arsenic has no smell, taste, or color even in high concentration. Lab testing is the best way to detect the presence of Arsenic in your water supply.

High levels of Arsenic ingestion have been linked to an increased risk of skin, bladder, kidney, prostate, and lung cancer. For more information about Arsenic see the CDC’s fact page.

The primary drinking water standard MCL for Arsenic is 0.010 mg/L.

Nitrate

Nitrate in drinking water usually originates from fertilizers or from animal or human wastes. Nitrate concentrations in water tend to be highest in areas of intensive agriculture or where there is a high density of septic systems.

Nitrate has a primary drinking water standard that was established to protect the most sensitive individuals in the population (infants under 6 months of age and a small component of the adult population with abnormal stomach enzymes). These segments of the population are prone to methemoglo -binemia (blue baby disease) when consuming water with high nitrates.

The primary drinking water standard or MCL is 10 mg/L.

Barium

Barium in drinking water can result from oil and gas development, landfill leachate, coal waste and high octane fuels, among other sources. Barium has been linked to an increase in blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, muscle weakness and affect the nervous and circulatory system.

The primary drinking water standard or MCL is 2.0 mg/L.

pH

The pH of water is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. It is measured on the pH scale (from 0 to 14) in pH units. If the pH of water is less than 7.0, it is acidic, and if it is greater than 7.0, it is basic.

Water with a pH of exactly 7.0 is considered neutral. If pH values deviate very far from neutral, other water quality problems may be indicated. These would include the presence of toxic metals such as lead (at low pH) and high salt contents (at high pH). It is recommended that the pH of your water be between 6.5 and 8.5 to minimize other potential water quality problems. In general, pH is an indicator of other potential water quality problems.

How do I read my results?

When will I receive the results of my water test?

You will receive your water test results via email within 14 days of your sample being returned to the lab.

How will I receive the results of my water test?

You will receive your water test results via email within 14 days of your sample being returned to the lab. Email info@120WaterAudit.com if you do not receive your results.

What if my results are higher than the maximum contamination level (MCL) as defined by EPA?

If the results of your water test come back higher than the maximum contamination levels (MCL) as defined by the EPA we will provide recommendations as outlined by the CDC among other credible resources. Depending on the results,120WaterAudit may recommend additional testing or make references to third-party vendors for additional remediation.

Who should I contact if I have questions about my results?

You can contact info@120WaterAudit with any questions you have about your results.

Common water quality terms.

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking water standards give the level of a pollutant that is acceptable in water. These standards are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using available research data. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for contaminants that are known to occur in water, are detectable in water, and cause a health or aesthetic problem in water.

Primary Contaminants

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) primary standards are set for contaminants that cause some health effect such as illness, disease, cancer, or another health problem. Adherence to these standards is mandatory for public water systems, but on private water systems these standards are voluntary. Primary standards are also known as Maximum Contaminant Levels or MCLs.

Secondary Contaminants

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) secondary standards are created for water contaminants that cause aesthetic problems such as bad taste, discoloration, or odor. In the past, these standards were always voluntary and were used mainly as guides. Recently, however, some community water systems have been required to meet some of these secondary standards. Secondary standards are also known as Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) or Recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (RMCLs).

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by congress in 1974 to regulate the nation’s public drinking water supply. Under the SDWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for drinking water quality. The SDWA does not serve private wells under 25 individuals. For more information on the SDWA, visit the EPA’s website.

Important Resources

Resources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791

Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water www.epa.gov/ogwdw/

U.S. EPA Drinking Water and Health www.epa.gov/safewater/dwhealth.html

U.S. Department of Agriculture—National Extension Water Quality Program www.usawaterquality.org/themes/health/default.html